Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Surfrider’s chapters, student clubs, business leaders, and staff, Surfrider's Ocean Friendly Restaurants and Hotels continue to make waves! Let's celebrate our accomplishments from 2025.
This year, we finally surpassed the 600 mark, with 646 Ocean Friendly Restaurants (OFR) participating from 30 states (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands). We estimate our restaurants serve 42 million single-use plastic-free meals every year.
We welcomed many new Ocean Friendly Hotels (OFH), with 38 Ocean Friendly Hotels from 7 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands participating. Collectively, they save about 1.6 million plastic water bottles and 2.5 million mini plastic toiletry bottles from polluting our communities, waterways, and landfills each year.
Here's some more accomplishments from 2025:
Celebrated 1 Year of Ocean Friendly Hotels
September 10th marked one year since Surfrider launched the OFH Program. Since then, we've grown tremendously and have welcomed bed and breakfasts, luxury resorts, campgrounds, boutique hotels, and more.
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is an OFH in Kauai, HI
Teamed Up with Ocean Friendly Businesses (OFB) to Advance Plastic Reduction Policies
This year, OFB leaders across the country took action on policies to reduce plastic pollution.
- In CA, 44 California-based Ocean Friendly Restaurants signed on to a joint comment letter urging Governor Newsom to uphold SB 54 as written and deliver on the promise of a truly comprehensive plastic pollution reduction strategy.
- In FL, 10 Florida-based Ocean Friendly Restaurants called on legislators to oppose SB1822/HB565 that would have greatly expanded and entrenched the existing preemption on the regulation of most plastics to include single-use and reusable bottles, bags, cups, containers, and wrappings.
- In IL, the Chicago Chapter teamed up with The Alliance for the Great Lakes and Shedd Aquarium to host a webinar about how restaurants can reduce single-use plastic and support SB1531 that would phase out styrofoam foodware across the state.
- In HI, the Maui Chapter noticed that restaurants weren't complying with County Ordinance 5084 that went into effect in 2022, banning single-use plastic in food service and requiring them to provide accessories upon request only. In response, the chapter is working with restaurants to educate the community about the law, support them, and provide signage.
- Nationwide, 48 Ocean Friendly Businesses from 12 states called on congress to pass The Farewell to Foam Act, a bill that would prohibit the sale and distribution of plastic foam food service ware, loose fill foam packaging like packing peanuts, and single-use foam coolers across the country.
Activists gather at a press conference in Sacramento in support of SB 54. Photo by Andy Smith.
Released New Case Studies
The first thing businesses and policy makers ask us regarding plastic reduction in businesses is cost. How will this impact businesses? How much is reducing plastic going to cost? Most of the time, businesses can save money by reducing single-use plastic! Our case studies show this firsthand.
- Mitch’s Seafood in San Diego, CA saves over $4,000 a year by switching from disposable ramekins and cups to reusables.
- Flying Fish Co. in Portland, OR saves $10,000 a year by switching from bioplastic cups to stainless steel cups.
- Alaska Troutfitters, in Cooper Landing, AK sees a 22% reduction in toiletry costs despite adding conditioner every season by switching from plastic mini toiletry bottles to large refillable bottles.
Mitch's Seafood Case Study
Exhibited at the National Restaurant Association Show
This year, Surfrider exhibited at the National Restaurant Association Show, the largest annual gathering of foodservice professionals in the Western Hemisphere with over 50,000 attendees last year. The goal was to meet businesses and increase the program's awareness.
We talked with hundreds of foodservice professionals and answered questions about sustainable foodware. Notably, foodware labeled as "sustainable" compostables far outweighed styrofoam and other single-use plastic takeout containers being sold. There was even a whole session focused on sustainability during the show. We were able to give a pitch about our programs and connect with other like-minded businesses.
Surfrider San Diego and Chicago exhibiting at the National Restaurant Association Show
Making Progress Towards Ocean Friendly Communities
The Town of Orleans in Massachusetts and the City of Laguna Beach in California are working towards making their communities more Ocean-Friendly. The Cape and Islands Chapter has been working alongside the town and Care for the Cape and Islands to propose a policy that would require a certain amount of businesses to participate in OFR/OFH, as well as reduce plastic in events, retail, and more. The South OC Chapter, Visit Laguna Beach, and The Ranch at Laguna Beach have been working to sign-up every Laguna Beach hotel and restaurant as an OFR/OFH to become the nation's most "Ocean Friendly Destination." So far, 7 hotels and 64 restaurants have already joined. Visit Laguna Beach and The Ranch at Laguna hosted an amazing event at the Rivian Theater to celebrate!
Similar work has been done in the past. The North OC Chapter worked with the Balboa Peninsula Point Association to become an "Ocean Friendly Neighborhood" last year. As a chapter, they help organize plastic-free events and educational opportunities with hopes to expand this to more neighborhoods.
Laguna Beach event to celebrate their goal to be the most "Ocean Friendly Destination"
Celebrated Ocean Friendly Business Month
In October, Surfrider hosted the third annual Ocean Friendly Business Month, where our chapters and clubs came together to celebrate the incredible Ocean Friendly Restaurants and Hotels that are leading the way in reducing single-use plastics and protecting our ocean. All month long, chapters and clubs across the Surfrider Network hosted ocean-friendly inspired events.
- 25 events hosted (including panels, happy hours, postcard drives, blitzes, costume parties, tabling, and more!)
- Surfrider Europe and Canada participated too!
- Added/renewed 50 OFRs in October
- Added/renewed 11 OFHs in October
Surfrider MA's postcard drive during OFB Month
Updated our Chapter and Club Program Toolkit
This resource provides an in-depth overview of the OFR and OFH programs as well as tips on how to build and grow a successful program. The previous version was outdated and did not include information about OFH. This is a great resource for training new and experienced volunteers alike on all things ocean-friendly.
Spotlighting Ocean Friendly Businesses All Year Long
Our OFBs range from fine dining restaurants and luxury hotels, to food trucks and bed and breakfasts! They all have one thing in common: plastics aren't on the menu. Read some of our ocean-friendly spotlights throughout the year.
January: 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay in Kauai, HI
February: Great Lakes Brewing Company in Cleveland, OH
March: Lido House Newport Beach in Newport Beach, CA
April: Eco Trayecto in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
May: Surfrider Malibu Hotel in Malibu, California
June: The Plot in Oceanside and Costa Mesa, California
July: Twelve Senses Retreat in Encinitas, California
August: Flying Fish Co. in Portland, OR and UC Santa Barbara Dining Halls in Santa Barbara, CA
September: AINA Farm Stand in Oahu, HI
October: Alaska Troutfitters in Cooper Landing, AK
November: Yodelin Broth in Leavenworth, WA
Customers enjoying Yodelin Broth's offerings
Stay tuned for 2026 as we continue to grow our Ocean Friendly Restaurants and Hotels Programs, advance more single-use plastic policies, especially "Skip the Stuff" campaigns and the Farewell to Foam Act, and exhibit at more trade shows.
Want to help Surfrider stop plastic pollution at the source? Consider donating today!